Google Probe by FTC Ends in Voluntary Changes, Patent Settlement

Bloomberg

Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), center, speaks during a news conference with Richard 'Rich' Feinstein, director of competition with the FTC, left to right, Howard Shelanski, director of the bureau of economics with the FTC, and Peter 'Pete' Levitas deputy director of the FTC, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Google Inc. avoiding a potentially costly legal battle with U.S. regulators, ended a 20-month antitrust probe by pledging to change some business practices and settling allegations it misused patents to thwart competitors in smartphone technology. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), center, speaks during a news conference with Richard 'Rich' Feinstein, director of competition with the FTC, left to right, Howard Shelanski, director of the bureau of economics with the FTC, and Peter 'Pete' Levitas deputy director of the FTC, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Google Inc. avoiding a potentially costly legal battle with U.S. regulators, ended a 20-month antitrust probe by pledging to change some business practices and settling allegations it misused patents to thwart competitors in smartphone technology. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Google Probe by FTC Ends in Voluntary Changes, Patent Settlement

Bloomberg

Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), right, speaks during a news conference with Richard 'Rich' Feinstein, director of competition with the FTC, left to right, Howard Shelanski, director of the bureau of economics with the FTC, Peter 'Pete' Levitas deputy director of the FTC, and Charles Harwood, deputy director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Google Inc. avoiding a potentially costly legal battle with U.S. regulators, ended a 20-month antitrust probe by pledging to change some business practices and settling allegations it misused patents to thwart competitors in smartphone technology. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), right, speaks during a news conference with Richard 'Rich' Feinstein, director of competition with the FTC, left to right, Howard Shelanski, director of the bureau of economics with the FTC, Peter 'Pete' Levitas deputy director of the FTC, and Charles Harwood, deputy director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Google Inc. avoiding a potentially costly legal battle with U.S. regulators, ended a 20-month antitrust probe by pledging to change some business practices and settling allegations it misused patents to thwart competitors in smartphone technology. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images